The TDBank Center was rocking before the puck even dropped but hit another level when Derek Seidenberg lit up Lightning leader, and perhaps Conn Smythe candidate, Martin St. Louis at the Bruins blueline less than two minutes into the game. After seeing TB score three times this series within the first 70 seconds of the opening period, Seidenberg's hit definitely sent the message that the Bruins would not be sleepwalking through the first five minutes of the game.
The frenetic pace of the opening ten minutes is intense enough for anybody. The players will never have fresher legs, their shifts are short and all out. The crowd, waiting all day for the game to start, is at its peak. It "oooos" and "ahhhs" at its loudest levels at every big play. Doc Emerick puts it over the top though. If you're not already on the edge of your seat, the excitement in his voice has to bring you there. He even knows when to let the viewer soak in the atmosphere, pausing several times during the game to let the chants "Let's go Brewww-ins" and "We want the cup" come through the TV and echo around the living room.
After the first ten minutes, the game settled into a great flow and the level of play never dropped. Fans were treated to an up and down game and superb goaltending. Boston dominated the first two periods, out-shooting TB 29-17. They were finally able to break through with 7:33 left to play. Nathan Horton buried a sweet pass from David Krejci and the Bruins were able to hold on and clinch the Eastern Conference.
Its good to see the Bruins in the finals again. For the fourth straight season the Cup finals will be hosted by an original six team (Red Wings '08 and '09, Blackhawks '10) and that bodes well for national interest. It pits the league's #1 and #2 defenses during the regular season. The pace will be extremely high but don't expect it to result in a lot of goals. It could potentially be one of those series where 2-1 and 3-2 will be the final score. That doesn't mean the hockey won't be great though; it just makes every goal that more valuable.
The Chara/Seidenberg vs. Sedin twins match up will be great. It puts a lot of importance on coaching decisions and which HC will be able to get his guys on the ice at the right time. Double shifting a player to get him some open ice or getting fresh legs out there after the opposition just ices the puck could lead to a goal and be the difference between winning and losing the game.
If I had to make a pick this morning, I'd lean towards picking the Canucks in six games. If the games are tight, the Canucks have the horses to find the back of the net. However, until Luongo finally wins a Stanley Cup there will always be doubts, including from me. His matchup with Tim Thomas could be too much for him to handle and he may crack three or four games into the series, opening up the door for the Bruins to win hugely important games. Regardless, I'm looking forward to a great Stanley Cup final. One franchise base has the chance to celebrate for the very first time and another gets a shot to raise the Cup for the first time since 1972.
Finally, I'd like add to some quick thoughts on the Tampa Bay Lightning:
- 41-year old Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson should not feel bad about letting in the clinching third period goal. He stopped 37 of 38 shots including a first period Lucic breakaway, a Recchi howitzer from right outside the crease in the second, and a third period chance from XXXX that he moved all the way across the net to block with his left pad and keep it a one goal game. One could argue 'Rolly' is the reason why the Lightning got as far as they did and still had a chance at the end of game 7.
- I am convinced that Victor Hedman is going to be a stud. After struggling earlier in the series he led his team in minutes played in game six and was second in game seven. Coach Boucher sure must have incredible confidence in his 20-year old sophomore defenseman. With Lidstrom possibly retiring this summer, Hedman is positioned to be the next great Swedish defenseman. It would have been great to see him go up against the Swedish Sedin twins in the Cup final.
- Vinny Lecavalier and St. Louis are great leaders and have given a lot to their organization over the years. They may not have had the best game 7 but they provided the guidance needed to take a young team deep into the playoffs. What's sad is that this could be the last time those two are one game away from playing for the cup.
- Steven Stamkos is an absolute man. He took a slapshot square in the face early in the second period but got up and skated right off the ice and headed straight for the dressing room. Stamkos returned less than six game minutes later with a cage screwed on to his helmet and a huge gash on the right side of his nose. What's even more incredible is that on his first shift back in the game he went diving to block another shot from the point. Those things do not go unnoticed by teammates and the Lightning's next captain is wearing number 91.
- Lastly, the Lightning and its fans should be excited about their team. They've got savvy vets with a year or two left in the tank and a young core that now has some major playoff experience on their resumes. Pending another high level season from Dwayne Roloson there's no reason to think the Lightning can't make another deep run next season.
